Reagent Cartridge Flow Path Purging for Accurate Auto Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The degradation of reagent quality due to contact with air during transport and use in automatic analyzing devices can lead to incorrect measurement results.
Innovation Solution
The automatic analyzing device includes a reagent cartridge with a storing unit, flow path, and dispensing mechanism, controlled by processing circuitry to dispose of reagent in the flow path when a set time period has elapsed, thereby preventing the use of degraded reagent in the measuring process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If reagent is stored in the flow path during transport and use, then the measuring process can be performed continuously, but the reagent quality degrades due to contact with air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reagent from the flow path by introducing a disposal flow path that separates the reagent disposal function from the normal dispensing function. The reagent is diverted from the main flow path to the disposal flow path and discharged to the external environment, effectively removing degraded reagent from the system while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism to discard reagent at appropriate timing by providing a disposal flow path connected to the flow path. The processing circuitry controls the dispensing mechanism to discharge reagent to the external environment through the disposal flow path when a predetermined period has elapsed, ensuring degraded reagent is discarded before it can compromise measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If reagent is disposed of after a set time period, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but time is lost for the disposal process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically monitoring the time elapsed since reagent was introduced into the flow path and initiating disposal before the reagent degrades to a critical level. The processing circuitry tracks the time period and triggers the disposal mechanism in advance, preventing quality degradation before it occurs and maintaining measurement accuracy without requiring lengthy disposal procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables rapid disposal of reagent by providing a dedicated disposal flow path that allows quick evacuation of reagent from the system. The dispensing mechanism can rapidly transfer reagent from the main flow path to the disposal flow path and discharge it externally, minimizing the time required for the disposal process while ensuring degraded reagent is removed before affecting measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic analyzing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a reagent cartridge and processing circuitry. The reagent cartridge includes a storing unit storing therein a reagent, a flow path for dispensing the reagent from the storing unit, and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense the reagent into a reaction cuvette through the flow path. The processing circuitry is configured to control the dispensing mechanism so as to dispose of the reagent in the flow path.